THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Xino Restaurant & Lounge Restaurant Review

: Perched on the third floor of Santa Monica Place is Xino Restaurant & Lounge, a sister establishment to chef Chris Yeo's Sino in San Jose. The scene is a big draw here, especially out on the outdoor patio with white draped cabanas. Start with modern renditions of Chinese standards such as kung pao chicken lollipops or wild mushroom dumplings with white truffle oil. The dim sum trio of har gow, chicken siu mai, and seafood spinach dumplings arrives in a metal steamer with dipping sauces. Main dishes range from wok-tossed beef and broccoli to char siu sea bass with Chinese ratatouille to Peking duck with "gold coin" buns and cranberry hoisin. Desserts include a trio of sorbets, strawberry shortcake, and a molten chocolate that erupts with white chocolate lava. Hot tea, house wines, and about a dozen draft and bottled beers are available, plus specialty cocktails such as The Red Envelope, made with Espolón tequila, ginger syrup, lemon and blueberry juice.